Barwon community embrace CDS

Torquay Food Aid president Michael Buckley at the Anglesea CDS site. Photos: NATHAN RIVALLAND

RESIDENTS from the Surf Coast and Barwon region have put $3.3 million back into their pockets and favourite charities through the first six months of the TOMRA Cleanaway’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) program.

Since Victoria’s CDS started on November 1, 2023, residents have returned more than 33 million eligible drink containers at the region’s two depots and 24 reverse vending machines.

TOMRA Cleanaway chief executive officer James Dorney said more than 1,000 charities, community groups and organisations had already benefitted from the 10-cent refund on each item.

Mr Buckley recycling items at the facility.

“As operator of the CDS Vic West Zone, TOMRA Cleanaway has seen first-hand the enthusiasm of the Barwon community embracing Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme.

“Strong partnerships have been developed across the CDS Vic west zone, including valuable social enterprise partnerships.

“Our commitment to ensuring social enterprises and charities have an opportunity to generate valuable funds through our network is a core focus of our operation.”

Torquay Food Aid is one such charity to benefit from the scheme. President Michael Buckley said the program was helping them buy more food for vulnerable members of the community.

“Since one of our committee members came to us three months ago and told us about it, we’ve made over $250. That’s 2,500 items which have been donated to support us.

“Not only does it help us to give our community access to food, but it helps our environment and prevents plastics and recyclables from going into waste.”

Statewide, more than 500 million containers have been returned in the six-month period.

“TOMRA Cleanaway is exceptionally proud to have played a part,” Mr Dorney said.

“Through our convenient and accessible technology-based network of refund collection points, the west zone community via CDS Vic has alone contributed more than 200 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons.”

For more information, residents are encouraged to download the CDS Vic West Zone app or head to cdsvic.org.au